Mercnbeth
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WOW - Just WOW!
We didn't post as much as I wanted because we were too busy doing to stop and take the time to write about it. I'll try to recap. This post will be long to go grab a cup of coffee or your beverage of choice and if you're interested - come back and I'll share a story or too...
....Okay first, being me it's impossible to not comment on a couple social/political issues. Anyone clamoring for 'free' government health care should travel to any of the socialist oriented countries we visited and find out how much 'free health care costs. I'll start with the basics. From dollar #1 the minimum income tax is 28% and it goes UP from there. Note - Currently 40% of working US citizens pay 0%. If you have any money left over from that tax, for every purchase there is a 25% VAT (Value Added Tax). Then there are the 'special' taxes. Buy a car in Denmark and you pay 150% (yup that's correct) 'luxury' tax. Oh and if you ever go to the 'Ice Bar' in Stockholm and want to buy a souvenir bottle of Absolut Vodka - be ready to pay a 71% tax on alcohol. However you can't buy it on weekends. This brings us to the ‘liberal’ governments ‘politically correct’ laws.
There is nothing more anti-liberating and freedom impinging than a 'liberal' government. When the government has all the money - it's very easy for them to tell you what to do and when to do it. The pervading attitude is that the population can't be trusted to make decisions and be trusted to know what's good for them so the government makes them for them. As a result - there are the 'super rich' and those working to maintain the socialist agenda. However, it seems they've all drank the kool-aid. The most common reply to being asked if they would rather have more choices in their life was a shrug of the shoulders. They've been subject to so many regulations for so long - I don't think they understood the concept of personal liberty and freedom.
We were on camera more in London than President Obama makes policy speeches. At one point we counted 8 cameras on us while walking down the streets. There is NO nudity at any London club. There is no nudity, except on a specific newspaper page. Smoking - forget it. They've banned it everywhere. We were told that many famous Pubs had to close as a result of this policy. Interestingly most of the Pubs we visited had more people outside drinking and smoking than there were inside. Great while we were there because the weather was fantastic - but we were told the weather during our trip was not the norm.
Hell - I didn't want these stories to take up this much space.
I'll end it with this challenge to anyone thinking that a national health program is the panacea. For the next month add 25% to every purchase you make, from gasoline to food and put it aside. Even if you can survive on the net, determine if you could buy coverage for the extra amount you had to pay for the 'free' coverage.
Okay - Sorry! Go get another coffee...
WE HAD A BLAST!!!
We did it ALL in Amsterdam. We set a pace of 4 coffee shops per day - with a different strain tried at every place. Those so inclined can write us for those details. Friendly people, the shopping was tremendous, and we will be going back ASAP. Our friend 'Rule' from CM took us places we would have never visited without him showing us.
Art is all around in Amsterdam. The museums are great - but the local galleries and 'street art' is even better. We had a fine gourmet local cuisine at a place called 'The 5 Fly’s' (The name sounds a LOT better in Dutch). Enjoyed a tasting of 'unique' foods, beth wasn't as adventurous, but it was fantastic. The place has been around a long time and had celebrities and politicians from all over the world dine there; from FDR and Marylyn Monroe to Bruce Springsteen. They put a little brass plaque on the back of every chair or wooden booth to note the appearance. We doubt the place we sat it will be noted 'Merc & beth'.
Sorry to disappoint people, but the 'Red Light' district in Amsterdam was a disappointment. The girls in the window were the equivalent of the cards flipped to you on the Vegas Strip; except not as 'human'. The windows were filled with ladies of every size, color, and age; all dressed in at least a bikini - standing in a phone booth sized cell. It was a business, and we didn't feel any sensuality or eroticism in any part of it. The 'sex stores' were also not as good as those in LA or SF; although it was very interesting to see one of our friends who had been at our house, on the cover of a 'Story of O' DVD being sold in Amsterdam for 79 Euros. I don't know - there's something to be said for access. I know many men who pay out hundreds of dollars at strip clubs and get a lot less then they would in Amsterdam - but it just seemed 'cold'.
We met so many great people. Our on-line friends from CM came out in force, especially in London. I know we have a jaded perspective coming from LA and with my prior life in NYC; but I find it difficult to believe that people can't connect with people. With the most minimal of effort we met a couple of dozen. It was great to just be 'natural' regarding our relationship in the company of like-minded friends. And they felt like friends who we knew for years.
Our opinions and references of each other were all internet based. Face to face it grew from that foundation. So there is something to be said for an 'internet relationship'. It's a good starting point and platform to get to know each other. As a base to meet people for travel - it is FANTASTIC!
We 'closed' the Sherlock Holmes Pub on Friday night. beth got to 'flash' in a London Pub and she even got someone to join her for a group photo. (Pposted beth's picture on our Flickr page - but don't know if others want to be so exposed so I won't post any of the group shots.) We enjoyed talking and getting to know everyone and hope someday to see them again. I think we enticed a few to come to Folsom. They couldn't believe the stories we told of our experiences there.
Darcy & the dark are people we hope will be lifelong friends. We spent 3 days with them in London shopping and seeing the sights. LOTS of SHOPPING! An INCREADIBLE amount of shopping!!
The least shopping we did was at Harrods’s, although beth bought a package of generic Tylenol. It was just too overwhelming. Where else can you go to one store and buy a puppy for 1900 British Pounds Euro ($3,200), a Puci gown for 12,000 Pounds, Cuban Cigars, a la Perla bathing suit for 700 Pounds (Don't get it wet!), a stove, a miniature 'Land Rover' for the kids, carpet, and have tea and crumpets for 5 Pounds. Wild just wild. The larger than life-sized bronze statue of Princess Diane and Dodi complete with a dove and a caption that contained the words 'INNOCENT VICTIMS' was a bit bizarre.
Okay...now I need a cup of coffee - more later, but I will post some pictures.
Stay tuned!
PS - Greedy, I'll be in Jacsonville FL on Monday.
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RE: Merc & beth London & Northern Europe Tour! - 
Profile
M'dear wouldn't it be lovely to take a walk out in the garden?" 
Oh yes Philip, lovely idea 
<-----saucy slavegirl proves she is a natural redhead 
<----------other tourists and British folk applaud Mercnbeth's efforts at diplomacy!!!! 
..........(we are not amused) 
Gordon Brown enters an official statement from 10 Downing Street. 
"Hello may i speak to _____(enter attorney's name here___)?" 
) 
They bring out old Monthy Python and Benny Hill clips to prove why Americans might think this would be just"a bit o' fun guvna". 
Mercnbeth issue joint statement.... 
The Brits love them, and offer them a show on BBC4
)....hope we didn't forget to mention anyone and thanks SO much to everyone for travelling in to meet us!!! it felt like a reunion of old friends more than a meeting of new ones and we are most grateful!!! 
) and are having a great time! 
RE: Merc & beth London & Northern Europe Tour! - 
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